Multiunit electronic discharge device



May 30, 1950 E. J. WALSH 2,509,947

MULTIUNIT ELECTRONIC DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed March 20, 1948 I lNI/ENTOR E.J. WALSH v ATTORNEY Patented May 39, 1956 ime 15mm '-MULTiU-NIT"ELECTRONIC DISCHARGE DEVICE '8 Claims. 1

'l his invention rel-ates to eleet'renic discharge devies aiid more pai tieularly' to-elee'trode assembii s' therefor. I

-Pfiincipalamong the obje'ets the invention are to faeilitate the fatirication 'ef 'lnu'ltihle uiiit assemblies bf- 'elect'rdes in i discharge devices and toe'Xpedit-the'ffic'int-eouplinghf the electrodes to the terminals of the device.

"uettioiher 'obj ect' of the invention is to e'oofdinate the cohfi'eotihs of militibleunits bf electrodes in an i'hteg ral assembly *Which may be readily molirited' in' an enelosingves'sel.

fufither objeetof' the invention is t substantially 'eIifiiihate defective or loose connections hetwn the': electrodes and the external termihails of the device.

Ano'ther 'objeet f the I invention is to avoid da age to fraile and delicate comhonehts 'in the 'eleoti-dde assembly by 'shdck or Vibration a'e'ting on the 'diret junc'tionbfslich components with' rigid terminal-"elements 'in'the'stem of the device.

Still afibther *"object of the 'invention' is [-O*i8 li'eve 'strains b'etweencertain electtod'es and :the terminals in the device.

- fdither obje'ctof theinven ion is to increase peratm d-ifeof multiple electrode devi-ces providing a. connector ai rang-ement integral Wi th the 'unitai'y assembly ier 'joihir'ig the electrodes 01" e'leihel'its thereof in 'mliltiple so that a iaa'ir bf external terminal conductors =-w111 siiffice to su pl ffingy to the 'elbtrddes.

These -bbj'ects' are attained in ac'cordaneefvvith genei' al aspects-bf this invehtion by the" associatio'n' 0f" similar -functional electrodes, for example miiltipleelecti on *em'itters, particularly of the indir e ctly heated type, ina unitary assembly and-' providing auxiliary wire connectors at the t 'i'rhiii'at -erid*o'f 'the unit which are carriedby clips "or ine-tallic *members anchored jt0- the insulating spacer"disc of "the unit adjacent the basaletid of the device. The clips provide integi al connections 1 on *the unit assembly which are stable 'in "re1a tionto the unit'so that the fragile eii'ds 6f the heater elements of the emitters may be" secured-to thehonnectors without danger of disruption by" shock applied to the terrhinal "end ofthe-"dis'charge device-*in which the unit is mounted. -In a Specific embodiment, the-inventitin relaites to a full-wave're'ct'ifier' devicehaving a lpair of'sleeve cathodes surrounded by similar shaped ah0des-and mounted between insulating spaoer iiises. 'I he cathodes are-providedwith inte'rnal heater elements in the "-form" of fragile hairpin-Shapew-Wires which are insulated from the cathode-Sleeves and the ends of-Whi'h extend tram the' ldwer 6r terminal end bfthe" cathodes.

S'ince 'damaQe tO' the -heater wire elements will render the" device lihacti-ve' -and therebyshorten the operating life, it is essential that theIfraQi'Ie Wire 'be prbt'eCtedagainst rupture -due-- to vibration o'r sh'oek imposed through-"the 'enciesing vessel f the' devi'ee. A 'ficbf'clihgiy, the terrr'iin'al Grids ofthe heater elem-emsare not conneetd diretly to the rigid terminals -01 "external-prongs 411 -12118 stem: or*m0iihtihg ehd -0f the device but' are'ij'c'iined to auxiliary connehto'r armswhieh are-'sunported lay-anchorblips seed-red to' the' 1'ower----spacer d-isc (if the ii nitary e1ectr0de-assemb1v A feature bf this -C01istfucti0n is thdbcaLtiOn of the kilipswithv-respeet to theconperating termiha-ls b the heater-elements in' theste'm 0f -'-the devie. One' 'clipiscentrally mbuntedon the discand ca riies an. elbow shapd connector having theen'ds aewreny in position 'elcse' to 'the eiids bfl the nitiitiple '=heaters in the cathodes and the -6the1- e1ip -ismounted in oifs et pesiti'on-ori the spacer-unmade carries a i -shaped corinector witlri the' ends th'rebf lateral-3y adjacent the" oppo'site ends hf' the elbmvconnectorand obpositely bositio'ned with re'spec't to the ends of-th'e' heater element's 'eiit'e'nding from the cathodes.

Aniithr-deatufe of -the in-veh-tion 'reiatest0 the oiiplingbf theva'iious electrc'vdes in the unit, inbl'iiding the h eater eleinents, tothe rigid-terininals' on "the hase end er 1 the device. Since standard pfa e'tice usually groups the heiiter terminalbin' in adjacent pos'itio'n's on acircular \vith the etherterniinaIsOf-the electrodes 'in the stein of the device, the clipsprovidereadily accessible means for coupling the heater-"-e1emeiits tofithe terminals-without introd'u cing' crossing 1 wires --w'hich inight reduce the insulation --re'sistance betiveen "the electio'des in the device. The offset clipis in lineivith'onebf theheette'r terminal pins in the stem' so that a directc'ohneetionmay bemade to join one-"side of -thehea-ter Gimme-t0 the-external terminal. The -adjaeent-' terminal pinextends *in A parallel relation 'tovvard {the unit and the central clip is jeined theretd By a transverse strap'wi'r'e extendm g-radially btweenthe 'cli'p -'andthe terminal. The-- 6then-terminals are connected to the cathodesand anodes directly aligned therewith.

' "The respective' he'ater element connectors provide ='an"-effi*cient' ass'eihbly of an the electrodes in---aself-eontained unit inWhich the fragile ends bf the heaters areaffi-x'ed to anchored wire aims inhhidd in the unitary 'asseihbly. Furthermore, the coupling of the terminal pins in the vessel to the clips eliminates damage or distortion of the fragile heater elements and thereby improves the operating efiiciency of the device.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the various figures in the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of one device illustrative of this invention with the vessel partly broken away to illustrate the internal components of the multiple electrode assembly;

Fig 2 is a plan View of the device on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 in a direction toward the bottom insulator spacer, showing the positions of the clips and the relationship of the electrodes in the unitary mount;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the unitary mount in reverse relation to Fig. 1 in combination with the respective terminals of the base end of the device cooperating with the various elements in the mount; and

Fig. 4 shows a modified arrangement of the heater connections in a perspective view of the lower portion of the electrode unit.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the invention is illustrated in a multiple unit device, specifically a full-wave rectifier, the units are mounted as an integral assembly in a highly evacuated enclosing vessel l having a molded flat stem I I at one end supporting a, plurality of terminal pins 2. The pins are arranged in a circular boundary with the hermetic seals thereof reinforced within the vessel by molded glass abutments or pillars E3. The opposite end of the vessel is closed by a sealing tip [4 after the electrode mount is located therein and the device evacuated to a high degree to insure that the discharge is of the pure electron type. A .pair of sleeve cathodes I5 and I6 and a pair of coaxial anodes H and 18 are mounted in parallel relation by transverse spacer members extending across opposite ends of the main electrode assembly. Each anode is provided with oppositely disposed lateral heat radiating fins l9 extending across one diameter of the anode with the ends of the fins provided with bent ears 2!] which lock the anodes to the transverse mica spacer discs 2| and 22 located at opposite ends of the assembly. The cathodes I5 and i6 extend through triangular-shaped apertures in the mica discs to provide a limited contact between the cathode and mica discs so that heat dissipation from the cathtodes is minimized. Each cathode surrounds a cylindrical ceramic insulating mass 2 2 which forms the support for an internal heater element 23 in the form of a hairpin-shaped tungsten wire for heating the oathodes by conduction to energize the usual emissive coating on the cathodes.

All of the electrodes except the heater elements involved in the electrode mount are sufiiciently rugged to withstand shocks and vibrations imparted to the enclosing vessel due to handling in use or in transit and in operation. However, the fragile heater wire elements present certain difi'iculties in coupling the ends thereof to the terminal pins of the device, since the direct connection between heavy terminal pins and the fragile wire elements creates severe strain when the device is subjected to vibration or shock. Furthermore, the coupling of the delicate heater elements to the terminal pins in the device when the mount assembled during manufacture entails considerable difficulty in securing a strong joint between the large diameter terminal pins and the frail wire employed for the heater elements.

In accordance with features of this invention, these difiiculties are overcome and an efficient assembly is realized whereby the delicate heater elements are coupled to the terminal pins of the device without danger of mechanical strain being imparted to them 0 the liability of insecure joints between the ends of the heater elements and the terminal pins of the device. Furthermore, the construction of this invention provides coupling for the ends of the heater elements which are integral with the unit as a whole so that the connections for the heater elements are joined to the unitary mount of the electrode assembly to form a rigid structure and then connection to the terminal pins is expediently provided by coupling connections on the mount. In this manner, the terminal pins for the heater elements are connected to rigidly mounted anchoring components on the unit and these components are joined to the heater elements through coupling connectors so that the heaters are indirectly attached to the terminal pins of the device whereby shock and vibration imparted to the terminal pins do not aifect the delicate wire elements extending within the cathodes.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a central clip 25 formed of a cruciform metallic punching it attached to the lower mica disc 22 by a pair of oppositely disposed bent lugs 26 and the remaining lugs or cars 2? are bent in parallel relation in the opposite direction away from the lower surface of the disc 22. A similar clip 28 is mounted in offset relation across one diameter of the disc 22 and secured to the disc as shown, with the depending ears 29 extending in a transverse direction with respect to the ears 2! of the central clip. The arrangement of the clips provides parallel rigid ears on the central clip in parallel relation to the terminal ends of the heater elements and parallel rigid ears on the offset clip perpendicular to the terminal ends of the heater elements in the cathodes.

One of the ears 2? on the central clip forms a base support for an angular-shaped connector arm 30, shown in Figs. 1 and 3 as an elbow-shaped connector, centrally attached to one of the ears 2? and the angular arms extending toward and parallel to one end of each heater element mounted within the cathodes, the terminal ends of the heater elements on one side of the circuit being connected by welding to the arms of the connector (it. A T-shaped connector 3! extends from one ear 29 of the offset clip and carries a transverse arm 32 having the ends thereof parallel to the elbow-shaped connector 35 and adjacent to the other ends of the heater elements on the opposite side thereof, to facilitate the welding of the remaining ends of the parallel heater elements to this connector. This arrangement provides rigid connectors on the unitary assembly of electrodes for coupling the heater elements in parallel relation in the mount of the assembly and eliminates the transmission of vibration or shock to the delicate heater elements.

After the heater connections are completed on the unitary mount, the assembly in the enclosing vessel of the device is readily made to support the unit on the stem and connect the various electrodes to the terminal pins. This is accomplished by welding a pair of wire extensions 33 and 36, which form continuations of a pair oi adjacent terminal pins in a circular boundary on the steId-Qfi the; (l v tate. the; upstanding lugs 23.;

Q he an des; proiectine. from. the. bottom. of the qw r nsulat r 2 Wfildfidto therem a ar 29 on the offs t. clip.

Ql nect o Sid of: the heater elements in.

parallel to the; external; circuit, the: extension. 35 be ng nal enmentwith he; 01111,. as shown. in Fig. A adjacent. er inal p xtension. at, is nn cted to. he emaining car; 21., of the, central y a. tr sv rse. str p wire 31 to complete the; c onnectipnsv of the heater elements, in the. external circuit withoutthe danger of crossing.

boundary, are connected to the cathodes l5 andv it r spec s/e131,. by. short; flexible, straps. to, to com et the. oupling of. all the elements in the mount a scmbly t the. external: terminal pi s n thebase nd'a ithe eviceshpwn in Eig, 4, th e connector assembly of the. e terdemen s be. modified by at hns; n. a itional. T-shaped: connector My to. one ar of the; central. 0.119,. he. ransverse arm; 52. of the connector being parallel to the arm 32 of the other connector and both being parallel to the heater elements which are connected to the ends thereof.

Before the unit is assembled in the enclosing vessel ID, a getter mounting 43 is attached to an upturned ear 2!! on one of the anode assemblies and the getter is flashed in the final processing of the device to fix residual gases not removed by the usual pumping procedure.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with various embodiments of a fullwave rectifier device, it is, of course, understood that the coupling connectors may be embodied in other devices employing multiple electrodes in which a pluralit of heatable elements are connected in parallel for coupling to a pair of terminal pins of the device. Also, while specific embodiments of the clips and connectors are shown, it is, of course, understood that various modifications may be made in the detailed assembly without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electron discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a base end including a plurality of terminal pins, a multiple electrode unit supported in said vessel including a pair of sleeve cathodes and coaxial anodes, spacer insulating discs supporting said cathodes and anodes in parallel relation therebetween, individual hairpin-shaped heater elements extending through said cathodes with the terminal ends thereof projecting towards the base end of said vessel, a metallic clip centrally secured to one of said spacer members, another clip secured to the same spacer member in oifset position with respect to the central clip, angle-shaped connectors extending from said clips with the ends thereof laterally adjacent the terminal ends of said heater elements, said terminal ends being fastened to the ends of said connectors, and leads joining a pair of said terminal pins to said clips.

2. An electron discharge device comprising an Another extension, 35; is.

enclosingvessel. having a base end including a. plurality of; terminal, pins, a multiple. electrode,

unit. supported in said. vessel including a pair of sleeve: cathodes; and; coaxial anodes, spacer insulating discs. supporting; said cathodesv and;

anodes, in parallel relation therebetween, indi-. vidual, heater elements. extending through. said. cathodes. and. haying, terminal ends. projecting.

towards the base; end. of said. vessel, a. metallic;

clip. centrally secured. to one. Ofi'said spacermemhers. another clip. secured. to; the. same. spacer member in offset. position with. respect. to the.

contrali clip, an. elbow-shaped. connector pro-- jectine downwardly fromsaid'. central; clip, a T- shapedconnector extendingfromlsaidother clip,

the; ends; of both connectors. being. positioned. alongside the terminal ends. of said. heater ele-;

ments: and attached. thereto, and leads; extendingv between a pairv of terminal pins and; said; clips.v

3; An electron dischargejdevice. comprising an, enclosing vessel; having a base end: including a,

plurality of terminal. pins in a circular boundary, a; multiple. electrode. unit. including; a pair of. sleeve cathodes. and: coaxial anodes, spacer in.-'

sulating' discs supporting said cathodes. and;

anodes in parallel; relation. therebetween, individual hairpineshaped heater elements; extend-.

ing through said cathodes with the. terminal ends thereof projecting towards the base end of said vessel, a metallic clip centrally secured to one of said spacer members, another clip secured to the same spacer member in offset position with respect to the central clip, an elbow-shaped connector projecting downwardly from said central clip, a T-shaped connector extending from said other clip, the ends of both connectors being positioned alongside the terminal ends of said heater elements and attached thereto, said anodes being directly connected to a pair of adjacent terminal pins, another pair of adjacent terminal pins being directly connected to said clips, and oppositely disposed terminal pins intermediate said pairs being directly connected to said cathodes.

4. An electron discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a base end including a plurality of terminal pins, an electrode unit supported in said vessel including a pair of sleeve cathodes, a pair of transverse spacer discs supporting said cathodes in parallel relation, heater elements extending through said cathodes, each of said elements having a pair of terminals projecting beyond the adjacent spacer disc towards the base end of said vessel, a metallic clip centrally attached to said adjacent spacer disc and having a pair of parallel ears projecting therefrom, another similar clip attached to the same spacer disc in offset relation, an angular wire connector attached to one ear of said central clip, a T- shaped Wire connector attached to one ear of the offset clip, the ends of the transverse arm of the T-connector and the angular connector being in parallel relation adjacent the terminal ends of said heater elements and attached thereto, one of said terminal pins being in direct alignment and attached to the other car of said ofiset clip, and a transverse wire joining the remaining ear of said central clip to an adjacent terminal pin.

5. A discharge device assembly, in accordance with claim 4, in which the ears of said clips extend in perpendicular relation with respect to the diametral dimension of said spacer disc.

6. A discharge device assembly, in accordance with claim 4, in which the ears of said central clip are parallel to said angle connector and the ends of the heater elements attached thereto.

7. An electron discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a base end including a plurality of terminal pins, a multiple electrode unit mounted in said vessel, said unit including a pair of sleeve cathodes, and parallel folded heater elements extending individually within said cathodes, said cathodes and elements being mounted between transverse spacer discs in parallel relation, said elements having their terminal ends extending beyond the spacer disc adjacent the base end of said vessel, a pair of bent metallic angular clips attached to the latter spacer member and projecting towards said base end, and a pair of similar-shaped connectors attached to said clips and extending laterally with respect to the terminal ends of said heater elements, the latter being attached to said connectors in parallel relation, said clips being joined to a pair of adjacent terminal pins in said vessel.

8. An electron discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a base end including a plurality of terminal pins, a multiple electrode unit mounted in said vessel, said unit includin a pair of sleeve cathodes and folded insulated heater elements extending therein, said cathodes being mounted in parallel relation between up- 8 per and lower spacer members extending across said vessel, said elements having their terminal ends extending beyond said lower spacer member, a pair of metallic U-shaped clips attached to said lower spacer member and projecting towards said base end of said vessel, and a pair of T-shaped connectors extending from said clips, the free ends thereof being laterally positioned with respect to the terminal ends of said elements and attached thereto in parallel relation, said clips being joined to a pair of adjacent terminal pins in said vessel.

EDWARD J. WALSH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,108,539 Lindenblad Feb. 15, 1938 2,120,122 Zillger June '7, 1938 2,150,800 Jordan Mar. 14, 1939 2,356,035 Downing et al Aug. 15, 1944 2,356,112 West Aug. 15, 1944 2,414,500 West Jan. 21, 1947 2,445,411 Stratton July 20, 1948 2,487,592 Rishell Nov. 8, 1949 

